NEWS: Naomi’s new CD avavilable on itunes!

What’s here?

Contemplation is more like it. We’re seconds away from the big YK – a time where we are typically pretty hard on ourselves. Time to make some changes…

Here are two pieces for you to listen to:

1. “Am I Born Just To Serve” – a piece written collaboratively by campers at Ramah Berkshires – produced by them with Glenn Grossman – after studying this enigmatic role of the High Priest and it’s meaning for us today. CLICK HERE

2. “HaYom (Today)” – a piece I wrote using the liturgy Hayom T’Amtzeinu – a journey into the urgency of “today-ness” for all the ways we want to improve.

Jewish summer camp gives you more opportunities to be of service in 24 hours than most people get in a year. Here’s my story from the past 24 hours at URJ Camp Coleman

In 24 hours I:

Helped an aspiring songwriter find her voice through the pen while encouraging her to open up more and give her bunk mates a chance

supported a staff member who needed to plan an anti-bullying workshop

broke through a 9th grade clique-issue where the campers discovered they were not alone in feeling the way they felt and worked with them to solve their own issue using experiential methods and music

helped a unit leader create some new roles for campers who (very age appropriately) act out during programs

shared a storytelling model with 10th graders who explored and shared their stories about “why this Judaism stuff even matters to me”

shared music and an inspirational personal story to open the 8th graders up to being the Heroes of their own journey

while songleading Shabbat am services, I kvelled as the cornerstone fellows framed extremely inspirational, moving Intentions in the theme of hearing your call (The theme of Cornerstone as exemplified in this SONG)

entered into a sacred space under the stars with the 9th and 10th graders – introducing them to the ancient soothing nighttime Jewish rituals and songs we have

This was only one person’s work. Now multiply that by the number of staff at a camp and you’ll start to understand the capacity of just how much “good” jewish summer camps can do in a whole summer. Imagine the ripple effect on a generation of young souls.

7 songs from my time spent in residency at 7 Jewish summer programs across the US this summer. The songs will reflect stories and understandings she takes from my work with campers and staff members – exploring Judaism, identity and adolescence. There are 7 days in the Jewish narrative of creation – imagine what can be created in 7 camps!

I will record and produce the songs together with producer my Glenn Grossman (www.studio-G2.com), using inspiration, words, wisdom and stories from the participants.

I am not a sociologist, I do believe that this needs to be somehow captured – the breadth of experience that our participants are engaging in a deep identity formation level. This is my way of adding to that conversation.

Stay tuned for updates pictures and initial clips that we’re exploring together

We are coming out of the darkest part of the year. I love it! I celebrate the birthday of the Trees (Tu B’shvat) in dead of winter as the celebration of the potential of growth! If I’m lucky, I’m present and conscious enough as I was today to see, when I emerged at 5pm out of the subway that it wasn’t quite dark yet! Time is moving!!!

Celebrating many FIRSTS! New Pilots Programs, Music and Concerts!!!

1. First ever Jewish Kids Rock program

In Dec 2012, at JCC as part of the Jewish Journey’s Project we launched Jewish Kids Rock! Check out the amazing videos HERE! Ready to bring this to your community? Email: naomiless@gmail.com

2. Producing Music:

New Publication: My song “Thank You” produced by Glenn Grossman, was selected as one of the URJ Transcontinental Music compilation CD, “Ruach 5773.” The CD and songbook is about to be published – stay tuned to find out how to order! Thanks for the support!

New Duet: Rick Recht cut a new album which I get to sing a duet with him called Dah Lifnei! Check it out HERE!

New Track: Glenn and I are back in the studio producing a new track for the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s CORNERSTONE fellowship (a program I started way back in the day)! It is all about a Hero’s Journey and may just may feature the KAZOO!!! Stay Tuned

Are you a Jewish musician who wants to record a track or album? Talk to my amazing producer (and husband) Glenn Grossman! He builds studio quality, professionally produced Jewish musical sound for you! (Check out his commercial music alongside the Jewish music and you’ll be sold!)

3. LIVE WEBSTREAM CONCERT Feb 2nd 8:30pm – first time ever!

JRR Rock Your World Concert – I’m playing a Live Stream Webcast Concert through StageIt.com. I am SO honored that all of the proceeds of my show will be benefiting an organization and cause I care deeply about: KESHET for full inclusion of LGBT Jews in the Jewish community! Sign on HERE

4. Jewish Rock Radio ROCKFEST and Songleader Boot Camp

JRR ROCKFEST – Jewish Rock Radio is producing all day concert in St. Louis on Feb 17th starting at 3pm. I get to play with the likes of Billy Jonas, Mikey Pauker, Shira Kline, Jay Rapaport, Saul Kaye and many many other INCREDIBLE Jewish musicians. Can’t get to st. Louis? It’s being STREAMED!! Click HERE

5. NEW PROGRAM FOR LITTLE ONES AND THEIR PARENTS: Songs for Soulful Slumber

I had the privilege of piloting a new program based around night time ritual for parents and little ones! Stay tuned for info about producing a new cd and bringing this program to your community! Get out your PJ’s and Blankies!!

6. NEW WORSHIP FOR 8-12 YEAR OLDS:

I will be designing and leading 8-12 year old Sat morning experiential worship for the amazing ROMEMU starting next month…so stay tuned!!!

It was magical fall and winter of musical worship with the communities in NY I work with – SAJ in Manhattan, Congregation Mt. Sinai in Brooklyn and Shaarei Tikvah in Scarsdale. And as always, an incredible year of musical performing for amazing communities from Denver, CO to Sydney, Australia and everywhere in between

Can’t believe how fast the year is going… Taking a breath – witnessing the seasons change, reflecting on all of the amazing people I’ve had the blessing to meet and looking forward to the spring and of course to the summer in the Jewish camp world!

I will front this with the following – not an apology, a disclaimer – one of these is me! I am celebrating a moment of achievement. (We should all do that from time to time and not be ashamed of it!)

So,

#1 – Hot Mamalah – yes, Lisa Klug has done it again. And this time, she has a WHOLE BOOK OF COOL JEWS that are WOMEN!

Talk about celebrating achievement! (Yes, I do happen to appear in the book on page 9 with my work teaching young women how to rock with social responsibility). The cool thing is that not only does she feature “hot mamalahs” but has amazing empowering and hilarious takes on being a Jewish woman! The great news is…you can win a copy, along with about $300 worth of goodies here!

Fran Gordon co-wrote our song “Shma Yisrael” which asks the Jewish community at large why in Israel, a modern Jewish democracy, the spiritual civil rights of all Jews are not protected. This song is part of a larger initiative called the “Sacred Rights, Sacred Songs Project” – a concert to awaken Jews around the world to the conflict between Public Jewish Law and the core democratic values found in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. (ie. marriage laws, women’s rights, divorce, conversion, burial, public transportation.)

Put simply – enough of standing by and watching the religious rights in Israel be dictated by one voice. ALL voices need to be represented.